Koh Samui, otherwise known as “safe haven,” is one of the islands located in
the
Gulf of
Thailand. It is one of the largest islands in Thailand after Phuket,
covering an
area of
229km2. The island is 700km from Thailand’s capital-Bangkok. Koh Samui
thrives
as a
tourist
haven, with breathtaking sceneries and long beautiful beaches.

GETTING TO KOH
SAMUI

You can get to Koh Samui through:

1.

Plane- flying is by far the easiest and most convenient way
of
getting to
the island. You can board a plane from Bangkok airlines, and
directly fly to Koh
Samui airport. From there, you can just take a taxi to the
beach. To
save money,
however,you might want to book the plane ticket in advance.

2.

Flying from Bangkok to Suratthani - at Suratthani, you can
take a
bus
to the Pier then a ferry to Koh Samui.

3.

By train- you can take a train from Bangkok to Suratthani,
then
a
ferry
to Koh Samui.

4.

By bus- for those traveling on a budget, you can take a
comfortable
bus
from Bangkok to Suratthani, then a ferry to Koh Samui. Some
companies offer a
combo ticket for the bus and ferry ride, so be sure to take
advantage of this.

Ferry travel is a must for those not traveling by plane. A
ferry
gives you
an excellent opportunity to enjoy the sceneries and begin
taking
photos right
away. It is important to select a ferry company that takes
care
of
your security and
comfort while on board. Songserm Company offers one of the
best
ferry services. The
beauty of Songserm is that you can also get ferry rides to
neighboring islands of
Koh Tao and Koh Phangan

THE BEST OF KOH
SAMUI

1.
Big
Buddha
Temple.

The big Buddha statue is a majestic, and
exotic
statue
of
the Buddha
that towers
at
12 meters, and that is a must see for all
tourists
seeking a
rich
cultural
experience. The best time to visit is during
the
morning
when the
natives come
to
give offerings of fruits and flowers.
At night the temple is a golden glory that
shimmers
in
the
moonlight.
Right next the Big Buddha is a tourist
market
where
you
can
shop for
souvenirs.

2. Ang Thong National Marine Park

Ang Thong Marine Park is the place to go if
you
want
to
see
hundreds
of marine
creatures. It is an isolated area with
beaches
and
waters
which
allow for
diving, snorkeling, hiking, and sea
kayaking.

3.
Grandfather
and
Grandmother
Rocks

Locally known as Hin Ta and Hin Yai, these
rocks
are
a
fascinating
piece of
nature.
The rocks are shaped like the male and
female
human
genitalia. These
rocks are a
must see for those visiting the island, not
only
for
their
odd shape
but also
for
the rich culture and folklore surrounding
them.

4. Beaches

Koh Samui has numerous beaches which you can
visit. These are:
Chaweng beach-this is the largest beach in
Koh
Samui, lined with hotels, restaurants, bars,
and
pubs.
Chaweng beach comes to life at night with
wild
parties that go on all night. Lamai beach-
Lamai
beach is more or less the
same with Chaweng beach, only that it more
natural and the night life is a bit
toned down. The beach is however notideal
for
diving since the waters are shallow
and full of rocks.

However, this is a perfect place to relax.
Big Buddha beach-this is home to the big
Buddha
sculpture. Other smaller but equally
attractive
beaches on
the island include the Mae Nam, Choengmon,
and
Bophut beaches.

5.
Na Muang
Waterfalls

Located about 12 kilometers in Koh Samui’s
inland,
these two water falls are perfect spots for
those
seeking some adventure and time away from
the
hot
beaches. The water falls are 30 minutes
apart,
and they both flow to form beautiful pools
where
you
can swim.

6. Lady Boys Cabaret Shows

These shows depict some pretty interesting
phenomenon, where third sex entertainers
leave the viewers mesmerized. Dressed up in
beautiful costumes and makeup, you can
barely tell the sex of the entertainers. The
Centara
grand beach resort is a major host for these
shows.

7.
Secret
Buddha
Garden

Created in 1976 by a Samui farmer, the
garden is
located
in
Koh
Samui’s inland
jungle. It has sculptures of deities and
people
in
various
poses.
Being the
highest
point on the island, the garden is a great
spot
to
view
the
rest of
the island.